Just Back, Some Observations.

[civileng68]

I'm not sure where everyone got the idea that I suggested you make PSs months in advance. If you read my original reply - I did not specify WHEN the PSs needed to be made. One can make a PS the night before or at Guest Relations as one enters the park. People are always cancelling PSs so the situation is fluid.

If pointing out that the OPs complaints are things that can be dealt with / avoided makes my a flamer - then so be it.

Well i agree and disagree. My wife and I always make PS's far in advance for the definate restraunts that we are going to eat at on certain nights. However, we dont make PS's for every single evening meal since we dont know what park we will be in every single night at a specific time. Sure on some nights we plan it out in advance but not every single meal.

The problem is, MOST people dont know what they want for every single meal and what time they want to eat that meal. Because of the current PS situation, on very busy times, you are turned away from PS restraunts.

Not to mention that many new first time visitors never know about Priority Seating as many dont get the videos that disney has for free, or even know about them. They come to the parks for their first experience and are turned away from every restraunt in Disney.

I mention that from experience. We went to the Liberty Tavern this past time and there were NO PS available in ANY Restraunt on the property for the same evening. I saw a lady go up to leave her name and the guy said she had to have a PS. She had no idea what it was and even said "you mean I come to a park and get turned away without a previous reservation?" The CM said "yes mam" and turned her away. I just think in certain times, something needs to be done about it.

Also, not many people "cancel' their PS to leave room for others, they just dont show up at their time, and instead of allowing a walk in to come in, the restraunt just simply takes the next PS to try to catch up since in busy times they are normally running behind even on PS seating.

 

[civileng68]

If I ever had any doubts about whether or not taking the kids out of school to go during the "off season" was the right choice, you have just extinguished them!

I have heard the crowds can be bad but you've just created a vivid picture in my mind and I know that I could just not deal with that!

Yeah honestly, this is when my wife and I's anniversary is and we're thinking about celebrating AFTER Easter to avoid the crowds. This year was just rediculous. For example: I love riding rides all day long, however, I got to the point where I really lost all desire to ride rides because of the lines. I just sort of got bored and wanted to just sit down and relax all day.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I have only been in the parks on a couple of days that I would consider "heavy crowds". Having had that experience, I now know that I just would not enjoy scheduling a vacation for one ofthe traditional heavy weeks. One exception -I guess I could be talked into going between Christmas and New Years if I went with the mindset of not riding anything.

 

[cbsunfish]

Don't be too freaked out about going Easter Week. I was there last week as well, from the 19th to the 24th, but I had a totally different experience. We too didn't get to the parks until 10 or 11 each day.

On Saturday the 19th, we came in from the airport, and got to the Magic Kingdom at 4:30. We went over and got fastpasses for Space Mountain for 10:25. The line for Buzz said 40 mins, but actually ended up taking 20. Fantasyland was crowded, so we went over to Haunted Mansion, which said a 30 minute wait, and actually only took about 20 also. We then shopped on Main Street for a little while before heading over to the Polynesian for dinner. We got back from dinner, and the parade was getting ready to start. So we went over to Frontierland, and waited 15 minutes for Splash Mountain. When we got off, the line still said 15 minutes, so we waited again, and it only took about 5. Then we went over to Thunder Mountain, which had about a 20 minute wait. The fireworks were going off just as we started our ride on Thunder Mountain, which was awesome. We then went over and walked on Pirates and Jungle Cruise, then went and used our FastPass for Space Mountain, and then left. We did 7 rides in a 6 hour span that included 1.5 hours for dinner.

The only thing we waited over an hour for the whole trip was Test Track, and we rode every thrill ride in all of the parks. The only EMH we used were the MGM late hours on Sunday the 20th, where we rode Tower of Terror twice and Rock 'n Rollercoaster once between 9:00 and 10:30, at which point it started raining, or we would have ridden them more times.

It was crowded, but I didn't feel like there was anything that I didn't get to do, and I didn't feel like I waited in any excessive lines.

I do agree that the PS situation is ridiculous though. We showed up half an hour early for one of ours, expecting to wait, and they seated us immediately. Which basically means that they were looking to fill tables that people hadn't shown up for. Yet, they told the people in front of us that they weren't taking any walkins.

 

[civileng68]

Don't be too freaked out about going Easter Week. I was there last week as well, from the 19th to the 24th, but I had a totally different experience. We too didn't get to the parks until 10 or 11 each day.

On Saturday the 19th, we came in from the airport, and got to the Magic Kingdom at 4:30. We went over and got fastpasses for Space Mountain for 10:25. The line for Buzz said 40 mins, but actually ended up taking 20. Fantasyland was crowded, so we went over to Haunted Mansion, which said a 30 minute wait, and actually only took about 20 also. We then shopped on Main Street for a little while before heading over to the Polynesian for dinner. We got back from dinner, and the parade was getting ready to start. So we went over to Frontierland, and waited 15 minutes for Splash Mountain. When we got off, the line still said 15 minutes, so we waited again, and it only took about 5. Then we went over to Thunder Mountain, which had about a 20 minute wait. The fireworks were going off just as we started our ride on Thunder Mountain, which was awesome. We then went over and walked on Pirates and Jungle Cruise, then went and used our FastPass for Space Mountain, and then left. We did 7 rides in a 6 hour span that included 1.5 hours for dinner.

The only thing we waited over an hour for the whole trip was Test Track, and we rode every thrill ride in all of the parks. The only EMH we used were the MGM late hours on Sunday the 20th, where we rode Tower of Terror twice and Rock 'n Rollercoaster once between 9:00 and 10:30, at which point it started raining, or we would have ridden them more times.

It was crowded, but I didn't feel like there was anything that I didn't get to do, and I didn't feel like I waited in any excessive lines.

I do agree that the PS situation is ridiculous though. We showed up half an hour early for one of ours, expecting to wait, and they seated us immediately. Which basically means that they were looking to fill tables that people hadn't shown up for. Yet, they told the people in front of us that they weren't taking any walkins.

Yeah we were there the same time last year and it wasnt nearly as bad. I remember last year that the parks were only open until 10:00 at the same week, but this year it was 12:00, so manybe that made it worse. I think it was so crowded because being that the MK was open so much later than any other park, people were all in the Mk later in the day than at other parks.

 

[7th time's a charm]

We have been to WDW 3 out of the last 5 Easter breaks, including last year. This was, BY FAR, the most crowded we have ever seen it.

 

[agotta]

1 - If you don't want to deal with strollers then don't go to WDW. Try Vegas.

2 - If you know its going to be crowded and don't take a few minutes out of your hectic schedule to make a P.S.....then tough luck.

3 - If you think that park food is too expensive, then plan ahead so you don't have to eat there.

Sorry, but I have no sympathy for people who whine about things they have control of.

I love it!! And completely agree with you!!

 

[agotta]

I also wanted to say I don't understand what the problem is with the biometric finger scan! CM and AP holders have been doing it for years without problems. What is the big deal?

 

[wintergreen]

I must admit that I am a bit strange, and actually prefer to visit during the busy times. Not sure why, just feels more festive. We went one year during early February, and it was a bit eerie, the place was so empty.

Also, I've been both behind and in front of strollers. A heartfelt "Pardon Me!" helps alot, and may actually put smiles on others' faces.

Finally, after a number of trips, I'm just now getting the hang of PSs. We had PSs for 6 for dinner at Rose and Crown in Epcot just after Thanksgiving last year. When it became clear that the kids were just too pooped to make it to dinner, I went into the restaurant and cancelled. The CMs were very appreciative.

 

[civileng68]

I also wanted to say I don't understand what the problem is with the biometric finger scan! CM and AP holders have been doing it for years without problems. What is the big deal?

Well I dont know if it's the user, the ticket or the scanner, but I can say that my wife and I know how to use them. I went this time and put my AP in and it literally just sucked it in and took it. 15 seconds later it popped back out and I put my fingers in and went through. My wife's ticket wouldnt work multiple times (and our tickets are brand new, as we just renewed, but they still do it all year).

The BIG problem is they still make non AP holders do their fingers now for some reason (at least they were this trip), and those guys/gals really have no idea what they are doing.

I saw so many people so frustrated because the entry to parks took so long because the scanners hold everyone up.

 

[civileng68]

Another thing that just doesn't make sense to me is:

Does Disney really care about security? I ask because the Security Bag Searchers will sometimes really look and other times more or less let you in. Really the security bag searches are just for looks and serve no purpose if consistency is absent.

My question is, why is there not a high tech (yes expensive) system in place. Disney has the money and if they cared about security enough, they could do it.

Put airport bag screening machines at the park. Just throw your bag on it and let it go through the machine. You can take anything out of it that may be damaged by the screener's signals.

Im sure the reason they dont want to do this is because it creates a bad perception and doesn't look comfy and happy, which is understandable.

So my point really is, either make the bag checkers really check bags every single time, all of the time, which will be slower and cause backups, or figure out a better way to be consistent and check bags quicker, or get rid of it all together, because there's nothing more frustrating than knowing you have to go through your bags with another person who really doesnt care what is in there or even look.

 

[Aidensmom]

Well I dont know if it's the user, the ticket or the scanner, but I can say that my wife and I know how to use them. I went this time and put my AP in and it literally just sucked it in and took it. 15 seconds later it popped back out and I put my fingers in and went through. My wife's ticket wouldnt work multiple times (and our tickets are brand new, as we just renewed, but they still do it all year).

The BIG problem is they still make non AP holders do their fingers now for some reason (at least they were this trip), and those guys/gals really have no idea what they are doing.

I saw so many people so frustrated because the entry to parks took so long because the scanners hold everyone up.

Last time we went it was just for the day, and we just had the one day base ticket, and we still had to do the scan. Why?!!! We couldn't use the ticket again, so what did they need the scan for?

 

[wendy1974]

Also, some of the effects in Splash Mountain still were not working. The water effects in the laughing place were still not all working. One of the buzzards at the ends had a bad eye that didnt blink and was stuck in half blink. And someone needs to clean the furr on the last Brer Rabbit at the end of the ride. He's looking a little dungie.

I did not have time to read through all of the posts to see if anyone else commented on this. I have noticed this exact same thing on my last couple of trips (over the past two years). Is it really that difficult to fix the jumping water effects or a characters eye that is not blinking properly (I've noticed this with the porcupine playing drums on the turtles shell). Also, an effect that hasn't worked for the past few trips has been when you get to the room where Brer' Bear is caught in Brer' Fox's trap, to the left Brer' Rabbit used to hop out from behind some bushes and say something to the effect of he was heading to the laughing place. I haven't seen this work FOREVER! It's a really great attraction but it's disappointing when things are consistently not working right.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Also, an effect that hasn't worked for the past few trips has been when you get to the room where Brer' Bear is caught in Brer' Fox's trap, to the left Brer' Rabbit used to hop out from behind some bushes and say something to the effect of he was heading to the laughing place. I haven't seen this work FOREVER! It's a really great attraction but it's disappointing when things are consistently not working right.

FWIW, this effect was working 11/04

 

[DizBelle]

I also wanted to say I don't understand what the problem is with the biometric finger scan! CM and AP holders have been doing it for years without problems. What is the big deal?

One word - Volume

 

[HappyLawyer]

CM's need courtesy training in some areas. I love photography and got excited when we were the only two in line for the Epcot monorail and asked to ride in the front, so I could get good pictures. The CM said "Sure, just go sit down over there" and pointed to a roped off bench area. Well when the monorail arrived, he literally just dumped me and my wife and put another adult couple on in our spot. Remember he told us to go sit in a special area, well because of this we were not allowed in line for the monorail. Well by the time I got up and said something to him, the monorail was full and was leaving. We missed it. I was upset, mostly that we missed the monorail. I asked him what his problem was. He said "you have to ask" I said "i did, and you told me to sit there". He said "oh yeah". He totally forgot. Then I said "well can we sit up front for the next monorail" and he said "no, this other couple already asked". I said "you have to be kidding me" and after that he walked off not to be seen again.

I deleted the other stuff but i so agree with you on this, TO ME the customer serivce level has decreased greatly, i have encountered rude and unfriendly cm

thanks for your views on everything, i agree with the food prices but i think all parks overprice them just another way to make more money thanks again

 

[civileng68]

I deleted the other stuff but i so agree with you on this, TO ME the customer serivce level has decreased greatly, i have encountered rude and unfriendly cm

thanks for your views on everything, i agree with the food prices but i think all parks overprice them just another way to make more money thanks again

Well get this....................something I dont think I mentioned........I wasn't really angry at the guy but was just perplexed that he forgot that quickly. I was more or less talking to him with an amazed look on my face. Before he walked off never to be seen, he evidently didnt want me talking to him anymore. He interrupted me and said "you may want to go get in line so you dont miss this one".

Seriously, I'm a mild mannered person but I'm really glad my wife was there because I was FURIOUS and really really was about to do get nasty on him, but my wife really talked me down.

 

[rt2dz]

I really just enjoyed reading all the previous posts--yes, I did just read ALL of them. I like other people's insights. And that is exactly why I refuse to go during spring break periods, Christmas, and the summer months (June, July, August). OK, summer is also because of the heat. I'm leary about our upcoming May trip (crowds & heat). I am looking forward to our planned Dec. 2006 trip, even with having to pull our oldest out of school--something dh hasn't realized we'll be doing yet.